How To Choose a College That Fits Your Specific Needs

Make a College List Early in the process, sit down with your parents/guardians or someone you trust, such as your school guidance counselor, to develop a list of colleges that interest you. This list can include public and private schools, both local and out-of-state.

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Rank Your Wants and Needs - Knowing what you want and need from the college experience can help whittle down your initial list of schools. For instance, you may want a Big 10 experience with a large student body and plenty of campus activities.

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Visit College Campuses - The internet remains an incredible resource for researching colleges and universities, learning about degree programs, and getting to know faculty and staff.

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Compare Financial Aid Offers - After applying to the colleges on your shortlist, you must wait for acceptance letters and financial aid award letters to arrive.

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Weigh the Pros and Cons of Each College - After completing the steps above, it's time to sit down with a trusted advisor to weigh the pros and cons of each college and see which one best meets your criteria.

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Geographic Location - Location is one of the most significant factors in choosing a college for many students. If you decide to stay in your home state and attend a public school, you can qualify for in-state tuition, potentially saving you a lot of money on college.

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Academic Majors Available - If you already have a clear sense of your academic path, it's important to make sure that any school you consider offers a major that fits in that pathway.

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School Size - Colleges and universities come in all sizes, from small liberal arts colleges with fewer than 1,000 students, to big state universities that enroll over 50,000 students annually.

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Overall Cost - Choosing a public college near your hometown often means you'll qualify for lower tuition rates. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in-state residents attending a four-year public institution paid an average of $9,349 in tuition and fees in 2019-20

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